Larry Poulos

Larry Phillip Poulos "Rip", 84, of Biloxi, Mississippi, passed away peacefully Sunday, May 21, 2017. A Biloxi native, Rip was born on November 4th, 1932, as the oldest of 5 children to Joseph Poulos and Irene Trochesset Poulos.
Rip earned his lifelong nickname from one of the nuns of Sacred Heart, where he attended elementary school. After falling asleep in class, he was dubbed Rip Van Winkle, and it stuck, which was fine by him. Rip graduated from Notre Dame High School in Biloxi in the Class of 1950. He was also a veteran of the United States Army after proudly serving our country during the Korean War.
Rip is remembered by his family and friends as a man who lived his life with an exuberance that could hardly be matched. In his youth, Rip was an avid hunter, fisherman, billiards player, and golfer, who enjoyed playing in numerous golf tournaments. He liked and followed sports of all kinds, and, even in his later years, could almost always tell you the odds of any upcoming game. Many in Biloxi may also remember him as the MC for several boxing matches held in the area, such as the Golden Gloves, or as one of the owners of the infamous Union Billiard Hall. He loved playing cards and remained a formidable poker player throughout his life and even played in the World Poker Finals in 1992.
During the course of his life he enjoyed taking part in Biloxi's numerous social clubs and organizations including the Krewe of Neptune and the Les Pierrot Carnival Association, where he served as King. He was also a dedicated, Lifetime Member of the Biloxi Elks Lodge. On any given day you could find Rip at the Elks Lodge gathered around a table with his friends playing cards.
Rip will always be remembered for his zest for life. In short, he did it his way. Perhaps more notably though was Rip's devotion as a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He will be dearly missed.
He is preceded in death by wife, Virginia "Ginny" Moran Poulos; his father, Joseph Poulos; his mother, Irene Trochesset Poulos; and his brother Joseph "Pecos" Poulos.
He is survived by his two sisters, Mary Ann Poulos Lindquist and Brenda Poulos Tillman; his brother, Raymond Poulos; his three sons, Lawrence "Rip" (Marian) Poulos Jr., Luis (Lettie) Poulos, and Craig Poulos; his daughter, Deena (Alan) Joyce; his nine grandchildren, Stacey (Ryan) Cole, Kimberly (Jason) Calawor, Elise (Ryan) Korte, Christina (Tim) Poulos, Patricia (Dave) Joyce, Travis Poulos, Charmayne Merrill, Luis (Brittany) Poulos, Jr., and Shannon McClure; his dear friend, Ethelyn Gonsoulin; and numerous great-grandchildren who always brought a smile to his face.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 26, 2017, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, MS, at 2:00 pm, with visitation for friends and family from 12:00 p.m. until Mass.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Rip's honor may be made to either the Biloxi Elks Lodge or to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. at Washington Ave. in Ocean Springs is serving the Poulos Family. An online register book may be signed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com